Hinduism

Atman

our deepest self or personal divine essence

Ahimsa

the Hindu ethical principle against harming or injuring life

Karma

the moral law of cause and effect that leads to rebirth

Moksha

liberation from rebirth, individuality, and samsara

Samsara

the cycle of reincarnation as well as the everyday world of change and suffering

Maya

a materialistic understanding of the universe,  rather than a spiritual understanding, which keeps us from seeing reality correctly

Brahman

the spiritual or sacred essence of  all things

Mahabharata

The two great Hindu epics are the long

Ramayana

tells of the  exploits of the hero Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu), his wife Sita, Hanuman and others

Trimurti

The ___ or triple form of the divine, which represents the three forces of creation, preservation and destruction, are symbolized by the following three deities:

Brahma

representing the creative force

Vishnu

representing the force of preservation

Shiva

representing the destructive force

jnana yoga

spiritual path focusing on philosophy and scriptural study

Karma yoga

spiritual path focusing on unselfish deeds  

Bhakti yoga

spiritual path focusing on devotion to a deity or to one’s teacher (guru)

Raja yoga

spiritual path focusing on meditation

Hatha yoga

spiritual path focusing on disciplining the body through physical exercise

Mandir

 a Hindu temple

Avatar

an incarnation of the divine in human form

Puja

offering or ritual done in order to honor a deity or guru

Shakti

the active feminine sacred power underlying nature and the deities  

Prasad

portion of an offering to a deity returned to the worshipper and symbolizing the deity’s gracious power

Darsan

the auspicious sight of the sacred; seeing the sacred

Lingam

a phallic stone representing the god Shiva